David Bell

A proud moment for everyone connected with Royal Dornoch. Past Captain Willie “Hook” MacKay has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to golf across the Highlands and beyond… a richly deserved recognition of decades of dedication, passion, and service to the game. A true ambassador for Royal Dornoch and Highland golf, Willie’s impact has been felt far and wide, and this accolade is a fitting tribute. royaldornoch.com/2026/03/20/pas…

Royal Dornoch has been selected as one of just 10 Golf Health Hubs in Scotland. Through the Golf in Society initiative, the club will help support physical activity, wellbeing and social connection in the local community. Backed by Scottish Golf, Active Scotland & The R&A Foundation it's a great step forward for both Royal Dornoch and the wider community. 📖royaldornoch.com/2026/03/17/roy…

We are teaming up with @SSAFA for a special charity golf day on Friday 10 April. Play our Championship Course, enjoy clubhouse hospitality and help support Scotland’s Armed Forces community. 👉 Full story: royaldornoch.com/2026/01/30/roy…

There’s still time to enter our Junior Open on Sunday 12 April 2026. ⛳ Championship Course 👦👧 Under 18s (as of 1 Jan 2026) 📊 WHS: 24.9 boys | 29.6 girls 💷 £23 entry ⏰ Entries close Thu 5 Feb, 5pm GMT 👉 Enter now: golfgenius.com/pages/12164411…

Royal Dornoch juniors Mary McFall and Ruaridh Holden recently represented the club in the prestigious Donald Ross Junior Championship at Pinehurst. They followed in the footsteps of legendary Dornoch-born architect Donald Ross, forging a special connection between two iconic golfing communities. 👉 Full story: royaldornoch.com/2026/01/22/roy…

Our new clubhouse and exciting plans for the future have drawn praise from golf writer @JezzEllwoodGolf, who travelled north to speak with GM Neil Hampton. Their conversation features in a four-page interview in the January edition of @GolfMonthly. royaldornoch.com/2026/01/07/roy…

@JezzEllwoodGolf @GolfMonthly The feature from Golf Monthly magazine is now available to view online at golfmonthly.com/courses/uk-and…

Behind every great round at Royal Dornoch is an outstanding greenkeeping team. Led by Eoin Riddell and Scott Aitchison, they present one of the world’s most northerly championship links in superb condition, year-round. Captured beautifully in a short film by Joseph Gorzman.👇 royaldornoch.com/2026/01/13/whe…

Happy Christmas to my fellow members and friends at Royal Dornoch and that includes Foxy 🦊

Wishing our members, visitors, suppliers and friends across the world a very Merry Christmas from everyone at Royal Dornoch. Even Foxy seems to be in the festive spirit, though Christmas cheer doesn’t guarantee a friendly bounce… We look forward to welcoming you back in 2026!

Double Major champion Sandy Lyle has enjoyed a “birdie’s eye” view of Royal Dornoch’s new clubhouse. A familiar face on the Championship Course, Sandy described the new building as a huge asset for Dornoch, golf and the Highlands. Read more ⬇️ royaldornoch.com/2025/12/19/dou…

Felt like the aurora was in my back garden last night man it was quite spooky coming through the trees like a sci fi movie. Plenty comets or shooting stars as well was really cool ! This morning at work was a treat as well.

A new dawn for Royal Dornoch. Captured beautifully this morning by Matt Harris, ou new clubhouse stands ready beneath a glowing red sky, a fitting backdrop for a special moment in the club’s history.

Huge congratulations to Royal Dornoch teaching professional Ally McNaughton, named one of the world’s top 50 Kids Coaches by the US Kids Golf Coaches Institute. Ally is one of only two Scottish coaches honoured this year. 👏👏 Read more ⬇️ royaldornoch.com/2025/12/13/us-…

@RoyalDornochGC Brilliant Ally!

A landmark day is almost here. On Monday around 9am, three of our longest-serving members will join captain Gary Bethune to take the first steps into our new clubhouse. A special moment for everyone as we open a new chapter in the club’s history. royaldornoch.com/2025/12/12/cou…

Freddie Tait – one of Britain’s best amateur golfers of the 1890s – was first and foremost a soldier. Initially serving with the Leinster Regiment, Freddie transferred to the Black Watch in 1894, where his duties included guarding Queen Victoria during her visits to Balmoral. Following his Amateur Championship victory in 1896 Freddie was presented to the Tsar of Russia as ‘Scotland’s Champion Golfer’. Freddie won a further Amateur Championship title in 1898, in addition to medals at several golf clubs throughout Britain, and was said to march around clubhouses playing the bagpipes to celebrate his victories. Freddie was often accompanied on the links by his terrier dog ‘Nails’, and they are depicted in a portrait painted by Scottish artist John Henry Lorimer in 1901. Freddie’s battalion was sent to South Africa to fight the Boer War, and he was wounded at the Battle of Magersfontein in December 1899. In a letter to Royal and Ancient Member John Ogilvy Fairlie, on Boxing Day 1899, Freddie described his ordeal while commenting on golfing developments back home: “Many thanks for your kind letter. I got shot through the thigh at Magersfontein a fortnight ago but am getting on fine. I quite agree with you Harry Colt would make a most excellent secretary.” “This is a fine healthy climate and one heals very quickly. I expect to be at the front again in a fortnight. I am glad to hear the Green Committee are carrying out our suggestions with reference to the bunkers.” Sadly, only a few weeks later Freddie returned to the front and was killed at Koodoosberg Drift in February 1900, leading to an outpouring of grief in the golfing community. Remembering Freddie from Balmoral, Queen Victoria sent her condolences to Freddie’s father in a letter from her Private Secretary. Today, Freddie is remembered through his portrait, which hangs in the Big Room of The Royal and Ancient Clubhouse, and a medal in his name that is contested by golf clubs in St Andrews. 🔗 To learn more about Freddie Tait, visit Bunker Shots: Stories of Golf and Conflict, now open at The R&A World Golf Museum: worldgolfmuseum.com 📱Download @bbgconnects to enhance your visit

#Foxy in winter light. @RoyalDornochGC

Let’s see your favorite golf photo from anywhere. Here’s one of mine. Thanks to GCA for the great photo of Royal Dornoch.

Congratulations to @greenshores1 on winning the Nature of Scotland Award for Coasts and Waters! A fantastic achievement and so well deserved for your hard work and dedication. 👏